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“I know. I’m sorry. You’re my brother’s wife,” I concede with a sigh.
We can’t do this, shouldn’t do this. Even if they weren’t married, it’s wrong to want her.
But,fuck, do I crave her.
“Because you’re still in love with her, and you swore you’d love and protect her for the rest of your life in front of God,” a little voice inside me taunts. “Stop fighting your feelings for her.”
Jaclyn turns her face enough that if I did the same, I could claim her soft lips as mine. “It’s just one night, you can stay in the same bed as me,” she commands, though her voice is unsteady.
I ball the fabric of her dress in my fist and pull her body flush with mine, my hard cock desperate to escape the confines of my boxer briefs. She moans a quiet whimper, forcing a growl to get stuck in my throat. “That. That is why I shouldn’t sleep in the same bed as you.” Taking a step back, I add, “You love another man,” and busy myself moving items in the suitcase, keeping my gaze anywhere except on her.
“I never said I love him.” There’s an edge to her words, but they feel honest.
“That may be true, but you’ll hate yourself if I touch you, even if Chris cheated on you.”
Shit, I shouldn’t have let that slip.I shut my eyes tight, hoping she’ll pretend I didn’t say it.
“Everyone fucks around in Washington, especially Chris,” she blurts, hands flying to her mouth. Her admission does little to remedy the hypocrisy of what we’re doing. “I’m sorry, I?—”
“How do you know he cheated?” Anger dances in my veins.
“He’s been cheating for years.” Jaclyn crosses her arms over her torso, rubbing her tricep as pain seeps into her expression.
I consider my options, and there’s no use in lying to her. I could claim I didn’t know, but I refuse to be like my brother. I’m sure he loves her—in his own way.
No, he doesn’t.
“Why did you want to marry him if you knew he was cheating?”
Jaclyn’s shoulders sag as she takes a deep breath. “There aren’t a lot of honest men or women here. Greed, corruption… It wouldn’t matter who I married, eventually my husband would cheat.”
“My brother is a fucking idiot. You don’t deserve that. I would never… I mean,your husbandshouldn’t cheat on you.”
Her eyes soften, and a small smile threatens to appear at my admission. “I know you wouldn’t. We may no longer be friends, but I don’t take you as the kind of man to carry on an affair for years,” she chuckles softly. “Or agree to what is essentially an arranged marriage.”
All I want to do is take her in my arms and beg her not to file the papers. It’s selfish, and would likely destroy plans set in motion by people with significantly more political influence than I have, but I’ve never wanted anything or anyone as much as I want Jaclyn right now.
I need to reel this in, or both of us will get hurt.
“You and I are not so different. You take your wedding vows seriously. I do, too. It’s why we can’t do”—I gesture between us—“whatever this is.”
Her eyes narrow. “Neither one of us has done anything wrong. Especially you.” Pausing to mull over her thoughts, she surprises me, asking, “Why haven’t you ever married? You’ve been seen with dozens of women over the years.”
“Dozens?” I laugh. “Don’t believe what you read, princess. I’ve yet to find anyone who challenges me.”Since you.“Or anyone who makes me want to be the best version of myself. You know the Washington game of smoke and mirrors; it’s easier to pretend to be something you’re not. I let everyone see what they want to see.Having a date on my arm doesn’t make me a playboy, as your father insinuated. I never go home with them.”
“You went home with me,” she jests.
“Well, princess, no matter how much I love the idea of spending the night with my face between your legs, you’d hate me in the morning. I can handle you hating what I stand for, but in no world would I want you to hateme.” I rub the back of my neck, regretting sharing that with her. There’s something about Jaclyn that makes me spill all of my secrets.
“You want to…” She shakes her head. “Men don’t enjoy that.”
“That’swhat you’re focused on?” I laugh. “Jaclyn, if a man isn’t making you come all over his face before he sinks himself inside you, he’s doing it wrong.”
She bites her plump lip, and my resolve is teetering. “We shouldn’t be talking about this.” The hint of flirtation in her tone is almost my undoing. “Why won’t you tell me about the accident?”
I huff a small laugh, grateful for the change in the subject, and take a seat at the edge of the bed. “It’s not my secret to share. Tomorrow, tell Chris I’ve told you ‘everything.’ And then… you wait. If there’s an indiscretion to be shared, he’ll share it. Go take a shower. Let’s pretend that I didn’t offer to tongue fuck you while in my underwear? And in the morning, you’ll begin your life as Mrs. Blake.”
Unfortunately, notmyMrs. Blake.
